Photography is a lot of fun, but there are plenty of mistakes to be made—some of which can even cost you a bit of money. The folks over at DigitalRev, a photo-loving community and camera shop, have put together a short video that quickly points out several errors you're probably making and teaches you a few tips as well.

For starters, you've probably wasted money on UV filters and lens hoods that you don't really need. Inexpensive lens caps, on the other hand, are a better investment because they're easily lost and are vital for protection (unlike a UV filter). There are also several mistakes our brain helps us make, such as trying to act like a more professional photographer rather than just worrying about getting the best shot. We may shoot on manual mode to feel like we're great, but that can mean missing a great picture because it takes more time. Automatic modes aren't perfect, but a great photo has a lot less to do with technical aptitude and a lot more to do with your ability to create an artful composition. Many of the tips are common sense, and also a reminder that we focus too much on specifications and technical aspects rather than just making something awesome. Nonetheless, if you want to improve your photography this video will, at the very least, serve as a helpful reminder about what's actually important and what isn't.